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Monday, October 31, 2011

Former New York State Attorney General and Governor Eliot Spitzer will highlight an exclusive keynote presentation at Forecast 2012. Forecast is set for December 6, 2011 at the Harvard Club in New York. During a groundbreaking eight-year run as attorney general of New York State, Spitzer's crusade against Wall Street corruption led the Financial Times to name him Man of the Year.

A lightning rod for controversy and criticism, Spitzer went after more than just Wall Street: He took aim at the radio and record industries, leading an FCC investigation into alleged payola practices that resulted in four radio broadcasters paying a combined $12.5 million in settlements.

Spitzer's no-nonsense, whistle-blowing career took him from the Manhattan DA's office all the way to the governor's mansion in Albany. He'll draw upon his extensive political background to discuss the current state of the financial sector, the Occupy Wall Street movement, and his take on what to expect in the 2012 elections and beyond. Who will seize power? How will government regulate business, and what will it mean for media? Award-winning Dial Global-syndicated host and interviewer Michael Smerconish will conduct a one-on-one interview with Spitzer in a unique and candid opening keynote.

"Though controversial, we're confident that Eliot Spitzer will shed some strong light on the Wall Street accountability issues and its impact on the elections," says Radio Ink Publisher Eric Rhoads. "Especially now that the Occupy Wall Street movement is gathering steam. We'll hear his candid, off-camera comments and his unique insights into the inner workings of politics."

Forecast 2012 is closed to the working press, and sessions will not be recorded. The only way to learn and absorb all the information delivered at Forecast 2012 is to attend. There are only 200 seats available, so early registration is encouraged.

Forecast is Radio Ink's eagerly anticipated annual radio industry financial conference -- the only one of its kind. Radio owners, CEOs, CFOs, group executives, managers and Wall Street analysts gather to discuss the state of the radio industry and predictions for the coming year. Participants hear about current and upcoming trends and opportunities, and meet the trendsetters of tomorrow.

Each year after the conference, Radio Ink invites the 40 Most Powerful People in Radio to pick up their plaques and join us for cocktails in their honor. The 2011 40 Most Powerful featured more new faces than any time in the list's history, and Forecast attendees will get the exclusive opportunity to mingle with both new entrants and the perennials in New York's elegant Harvard Club. Only registered conference attendees are guaranteed invitations to the after-party. Attendance is limited to 200. Don't miss your chance to gather with, and learn from, the best in radio at Forecast 2012. Get your tickets today!

Six Colorado Cumulus stations (KATC-FM, KCSF-AM, KKFM-FM, KKMG-FM, KKPK-FM and KVOR-AM) teamed up with community leaders for ?Operation Warm-up?. The five-hour event enabled listeners to help provide new and gently used coats, gloves, scarves, and hats for neighbors in need. Morning shows broadcast live from the parking lot of the new Freedom Financial Expo Center, as hundreds of listeners drove in contributing thousands of items including coats, hats, gloves, mittens, boots and much needed winter garments.

The items, as well as cash donations are being used to support a Department of Human Services distribution event in December. Cumulus Broadcasting Community Officer Gina Kavali said, ?More than 10% of our community is on some sort of living assistance provided by the DHS, it just made sense to act and take care of our neighbors right here, right now. We were honored and humbled when we saw the outpouring of generosity from our listeners throughout Southern Colorado.?

What are you doing to serve your community? We want to know about it, it doesn't matter how big or how small your market is. Send all details including picture to edrayn@radioink.com

Since he was 13 years of age, operating a radio station out of his basement Tony Richards has been passionate about this business. Yesterday, Richards was able to take another big step in his radio career by purchasing a station. He picked up WFGZ-FM in Lobelville, TN from Grace Broadcasting. The sale price was $1,825,000. Richards will continue in his role as COO of Federated Media stating "I love this company. John and Alec Dille have been very supportive of my interest in ownership."

When the deal was announced, Richards wanted his "folks to know that I'm not going anywhere. Federated Media is evolving into a diverse collection of companies that excel in broadcasting, social media, outdoor advertising, interactive and mobile marketing. My entrance into broadcast ownership is a natural progression and fits perfectly with our current business model. I only hope we can fill the staff in Nashville with the kind of talent we have at all of our current stations in Indiana."

Richards told Radio Ink last night, "I believe this business still has a bright future. I never really had an interest in ownership when multiples were getting out of hand. Too many people paid too much for too long. But in the last few years my interest in ownership increased and this turned out to be the right opportunity."

The primary market for WFGZ-FM after its C.P. is licensed, will be Bellevue, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee; and surrounding area. Richards formed Kensington Digital Media. The new company will fly under the Federated Media flag which includes: Pathfinder Communications, Talking Stick Communications, Federated Interactive and OnDisplay Advertising. Ed Henson of Henson Media, Inc. served as the exclusive broker.

A two-day radiothon resulted in 825 children being sponsored and over $1 Million being raised by Rick & Bubba. The morning duo, syndicated by SSI, worked with World Vision to sponsor the children in more than 45 countries. Since 2009 Rick & Bubba have raised nearly $3.5 million to help kids.

Rick Burgess and Bill ?Bubba? Bussey commented ?Until three years ago, we hadn?t done a Radiothon and weren?t sure what to expect. When SSI introduced World Vision and we learned about how impressive an organization they are, we wanted in. The global impact we've been able to make on over 825 children?s lives this year, and over 2600 children since 2009, is beyond words. The overwhelming response from our listeners and the ability to be part of something so meaningful just blows us away. Doing what we do for a living and being able to make such an impact through World Vision really does make it all worth while.?

It's been a classic radio war between WFLZ (owned by Clear Channel) and WPOI (owned by Cox) in Tampa. WFLZ has owned the hit music space for years untul HOT 101.5 came along recently and went on the offensive. The station was so open in it's on-air attacks it went directly after WFLZ's morning man, calling him too old to be playing modern day music hits. They even claimed he still had a myspace account. Now, that's a low blow.

Tim Clarke was brought in just a few months ago to program the station and continue the attacks. Well, for Clear Channel turnabout is fair play. Clarke was arrested this past weekend and WFLZ is having a field day making fun of him. Can you feel the bad karma?

According to a police report, Clarke was booked by Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies for disorderly conduct/intoxication. He was released on $100 bail. It didn't take long for Clear Channel to post Clarke's mug shot and create a promo called "Win Timmy's Bail Money," mocking the Cox PD, no doubt exacting a little revenge for what Clarke has been doing to them over the past few months. How embarrassing? Listen to the promo HERE.

There's little question that Clear Channel saw an opening after months of being attacked by Clarke's team. And Clarke left himself wide open for allowing this to happen. If this happened in your market, what would you do? Would you attack like Clear Channel? Would you let it go?

(10/18/2011 5:38:07 AM) There was a reason why radio stations never used to mention the competition...it's free adverting for the guy who is trying to eat your lunch. This is poor radio on the parts of both companies.

Chicago radio legend Steve Dahl is returning to 1530 WJJG (in Chicago) with a show called a "A Daily Dose of Dahl." According to theChicagoland Radio and Media website, the best bits from Steve Dahl will air hourly. The three-four minute segments could be made up from parts of the regular daily Dahlcast or the could be completely original segments. Dahl is one of the few broadcasters to make a good living at podcasting, charging his fans to download his program.

The Chicagoland website says WJJG-AM General Manger Matt DuBiel decided to seize the opportunity to add Steve Dahl to the radio station's growing talk line-up. "Steve Dahl is a radio genius and I couldn't be more pleased to be working with him and his team. This is a huge victory for Chicago radio listeners. These are Steve's listeners. I'd be delighted if 1530 WJJG reacquaints Dahl fans with Steve and perhaps introduces new fans. That's what radio is supposed to do! And if you like Steve on 1530, you'll LOVE getting the Dahlcast Daily."

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Lisa Dollinger has been with Clear Channel for nearly a decade and when Bob Pittman was hired to oversee the company, there were additional changes to be made. One of those is Dollinger's departure. Here's what Dollinger had to say about her 9 years with Clear Channel.

"After nine years helping Clear Channel communicate its positive messages of support for the communities it serves, and solidifying the Company's reputation as the leading media and entertainment player in its space, I'm moving on to new challenges. It was a privilege to work with so many wonderful and talented people for so many years, and to aid the Company's transition into the latest phases of its growth. The new opportunities in front of us are truly exciting."

About 180 record label management, radio station general managers, promotions staff, national sales managers, program directors, and on-air staff came together this weekend to help kick off the Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids? radiothon season for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. More than 70 radio stations toured the hospital to meet with patients to learn about the latest medical advancements and receive tips on producing a successful radiothon to help raise awareness for St. Jude.

Attendees also met with some of the patients and their families to hear their stories and learn why this is such a critical program for the mission of the hospital. The weekend concluded with the annual radio station dinner. Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids has raised more than $12 million for St. Jude since the program began in 2002. For information about St. Jude or Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids, visit http://www.radiocaresforstjude.org/.

John McConnell spent 20 years at the ABC Radio Network where he was the SVP of Programming and managed and created The ESPN Radio Network, ABC News Radio, The Mike Huckabee Report, The Sean Hannity Show, Paul Harvey?s News and Comment and American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks. McConnell is also an executive board member and development chair of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and a board member of the Radio Hall of Fame which is where he met Peter Kiernan.

McConnell and Kiernan are teaming up "to carve a new space in today?s media landscape. Recognizing that hyper partisanship is negatively affecting the nation, they?re seeking to define the new radical center. Recently, McConnell Media, in association with Abrams Artists Agency, secured a book deal for Kiernan with Turner Publishing Company. Kiernan?s Becoming China?s Bitch; and Nine More Catastrophes We Must Avoid Right Now, a Manifesto for the Radical Center hits bookshelves February, 2012. McConnell?s reputation for developing successful talent and content makes this an ideal partnership. Additional media opportunities for Kiernan are currently in development with McConnell Media."

McConnell says, ?people like Peter who have built businesses, created jobs and fortunes for others while at the same time caring for those who need it most are the future opinion leaders. It?s not always my way or the highway. Americans want diversity in their media. Peter effectively and charismatically addresses this hot button issue. Kiernan is a frequent contributor on television?s Today, Good Morning America, CNN, CNBC, FOX News, and Bloomberg. A new breed of media and opinion leader, his life experience and persuasive ability give him unique perspective and ability to create change.

Throughout each day, local station personalities will describe the LivingSocial daily deal for their market, also accessible through Clear Channel Radio station websites. In addition to daily deal announcements, Clear Channel will feature other LivingSocial offerings, including LivingSocial Escapes and Adventures packages, across its media platforms. Clear Channel will use 500 stations in 90 cities to promote the deals.

?We?re delighted to be working with Clear Channel and their deep, well established network of radio stations and millions of listeners across the country,? said Tim O?Shaughnessy, Co-Founder and CEO of LivingSocial. ?Radio stations are a primary means for people to find entertainment and learn what?s going on in their communities. This matches perfectly with LivingSocial?s mission to help people find great deals and values around them.?

LivingSocial serves more than 46 million members in more than 603 daily deal markets worldwide.

It's something a patient never wants to hear from his doctor. "You have grade four pancreatic cancer that's metastasized to your liver, your abdominal cavity, the lungs and so on." That's what 69-year old Ron Smith was told when he went in for a checkup recently and that's what he told his audience Monday morning. He said he had no idea anything was wrong with him until he started feeling "unwell" a few weeks ago.

Ron Smith has been at WBAL since 1984. He hosts the 9AM to Noon slot on WBAL-AM in Maryland which is owned by Hearst. Smith told his listeners, "going forward, I'm going to fight this and see what happens -- how the cancer responds to the treatment, how my body responds to the treatment. There is no way to be sure of anything about this other than I will be undergoing chemotherapy for the rest of whatever time I have. There are going to be some changes here. I'm still going to do the show, but not all the time. This is not going to be a pity party. We're going to do a Ron Smith radio show every day that I'm here... Obviously, people are going to upset, but just understand that I'm OK."

Listen to Smiths full announcement HEREReach out to Ron here rsmith@wbal.com

We live in a world today that is dominated on a person level by companies that use technology to ?handle? their customers. Average consumers can feel that companies want their money and not the work of dealing with them. Imagine it: customer avoidance through technology. This causes the general population extreme frustration, but it is generally accepted as the ?new normal.?

Have you ever been on the phone screaming in a selection into voice prompts because you are frustrated you can?t ever seem to get a person on the phone? Your listeners are having these experiences and the frustration is higher than ever.Customers and listeners want to be recognized and respected. They want to be validated in today?s world. This is why social media is so popular and it is also why people are retracting to trust mostly or only advice from their own circle of friends. They don?t trust companies. It is also why your radio personalities should be in the front of every social media philosophy you have today. People care about people. They don?t want to be ?handled? by technology.

Here are five (5) Steps to give listeners what they want from YOUR social media:

1. ?Listen? to how listeners interact with radio stations and radio personalities in social media. Do this before you do anything else. This is not about only looking at the interactions on your radio station?s Facebook page. Look at competitors and stations in your format all across the country.

2. Recognize listeners when they make themselves known in any way in your social media. Reach out to them in the public platform of their choice and follow up with them via email as well.

3. Let listeners know that your product is populated by actual people. This may seem simple (and it may be difficult for some radio stations that are mostly voice tracked from other places). But it is important. Don?t do the corporate thing; make your social media as personal as possible.

4. Give them the baby. Media has become intensely focused on ?the tease.? Teasing is important for our purposes, but your overall social media plan should involve a strategy that does NOT simply tease them all the time. Sometimes you should make it easy for them to get what they want immediately. This is part of having a specific plan for your whole social media efforts.

5. Keep your focus them. Make sure your content is focused on their benefit. It is so easy to fall prey to what humans do all the time: Talk about ourselves. Be careful to point your voice toward giving participators benefits important to your listeners. If you really want to encourage true participation with your brand in social media, you must make sure your engagement is truly the opposite of the experiences people are having with these corporations who ?handle? their relationships with customers from a distance.

You must focus your efforts to make your engagement as personal as you can possibly make it. That will take effort, but is certainly is not impossible. Radio performs best when we are a great companion. Give people the opportunity to connect with you and make them feel important in a world that largely does the opposite. Do this and you will see excellent results in social media that leads to better engagement, better loyalty and better ratings.

Loyd Ford programmed very successful radio brands in markets of all sizes for years, including KRMD AM & FM in Shreveport, WSSL and WMYI in Greenville, WKKT in Charlotte and WBEE in Rochester, NY. Learn more about Loyd here: Reach out to Loyd via e-mail HERE.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Kay, who is the Executive Director of The Conclave, has won the 2011 Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award. The Head of Pavek Museum at the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame Steve Raymer said ?Tom was chosen for this award because of his service to the broadcast community. As the driving force behind the Upper Midwest Communication Conclave, Tom has provided a learning experience for thousands of broadcasters as well as awarding over one million dollars in scholarships to those aspiring to enter the field.?

?It is a true thrill and honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, receiving the Distinguished Service Award,? said Kay. ?While the plaque will only include my name, it is an accolade that needs to be shared with every Board chair, Board member and each volunteer who has contributed their time and talent to keeping the teaching mission of the Conclave alive and well all these years. My receipt of a place in the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame means so much to me. But more than anything, it reflects the privilege I?ve been accorded to lead the esteemed Conclave as its Executive Director since its beginning.?

The Pavek Museum of Broadcasting provides a sanctuary for rare artifacts documenting the history of electronic communications while promoting the values of the broadcast industry. In the past twenty years, more than 60,000 school children have participated in Broadcast Workshops and Basic Electricity classes at the Museum while more than 100,000 adults have enjoyed the collections of hardware and programming on display.

Sounds simple. So why is it difficult for leaders to say what they mean and mean what they say? When we communicate from the heart we connect with our purpose. People understand the truth, they may not always agree with you; however your conviction is powerful. In building your circle of influence the most important element is trust.How is Leadership, in the world, faring today? Only 19% of the population strongly approve of President Obama?s performance. Only 12% of the population approve of the performance of Congress. If there were such a rating, the approval for business leaders would be 2% (voting for themselves--evidenced by their exit packages worth millions as they leave their failing companies.)Why such low ratings? Well it?s my opinion that Americans are speaking out, much like Howard Beale did in the movie ?Network? when he stated ?I?m as mad as hell and I?m not going to take it anymore!? Leaders are unable or unwilling to communicate the BRUTAL FACTS, to speak the truth and focus on core values. Their words and actions are self-serving and designed to have them re elected or just get past the present crisis, NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.In my practice I help individuals and companies develop decision-making courage by identifying core values and strengths. When this process is in place great things happen.A corporate example of this is the 1982 ?Tylenol Crisis?. James Burke was the CEO of Johnson &Johnson at the time. Because of the J&J ?credo? (which is a core value statement) he and the management team were very clear on what they had to do. J&J?s first responsibility was to the customer, second to its shareholders. They had the courage to recall all of the Tylenol product in the market, which cost the company tens of millions of dollars and could have been the end of the brand. By caring about their customers the result was TRUST which ultimately led to J&J regaining market share. Over time, they increased their market share based on the goodwill garnered from their actions.Trust is the lubrication of relationships, without it you have nothing. You build trust by living your values. What are your core values? What are the strategic principles that are the cornerstone of your company? If you cannot answer these questions you are rudderless in a turbulent sea.Coach Anovick Developing Potential, Producing Results. Your comments and feedback are appreciated. Coach Anovick can be reached at 201.445.2822.

Sean Hannity will be hosting a concert series this holiday season ? Sean Hannity?s Holiday Concert Salute to the Troops ? in four cities; New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. The events are being produced by Townsquare Media and will benefit the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, designated for the education of children of U.S. service members who have been killed or permanently disabled in an operational mission or training accident.

Featuring three-time GRAMMY? winner Michael W. Smith, combat-decorated Marine/best-selling author Oliver North and platinum selling recording artist John Ondrasik (Five for Fighting), Hannity?s Holiday Concert Salute to the Troops will bring together some of the country?s best-loved performers and personalities in one intimate evening to celebrate the holidays by paying tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces, their families, and the principles they fight to defend.

The concert will travel to New York City?s Hammerstein Ballroom on Nov. 27; Pittsburgh?s Byham Theater on Dec. 2; Washington, D.C.?s Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill on Dec. 3; and Atlanta?s Cobb Energy Centre on Dec. 18. Tickets for each concert go on sale Friday, October 21.

Tickets may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, or by phone at (800) 745-3000. To purchase tickets online, or to find out more information on Sean Hannity?s Holiday Concert Salute to the Troops, please visit www.Hannity.com.

A Program Director in today's world of radio has multiple responsibilities in managing a successful radio brand. There are the bland and benign duties, like looking over expense reports and time sheets and the highly creative and involved projects, including developing the specifics of a marketing plan or inspiring your morning talent to capture the moment with a topical comedy bit. Program Directors can tend to be lonely and sometimes isolated creatures of habit. They like to "tweak" or "tinker" with their product or their creative process.

When you're stuck in the creative process and you're trying to tackle a major problem, whether it be in your life or your radio station, you need to "Change Your Orbit". In a world of short attention spans, things have to be shaken up to make improvement and tinkering won't work.

Here are some suggestions:1. Get away from your radio station and sit and think with zero distractions.No email. No phone. Just good old fashioned thinking. You'd be shocked how it jars your creative blockage.

2) Answer your request line or call five listeners from your database and just listen to them speaking about your radio station. Real people not radio people. Don't dominate the conversation. Just listen to them-Ask them about your project. You'd be surprised how they can help.

3) Go through your personal rolodex and call one of your PD friends from years passed that you haven't chatted with for sometime. Share war stories with them. Ask them for input to consider regarding what you are stuck on.

4) Find a case study on a similar challenge from a different industry and read it.For example: If re-branding your station is your challenge, study a product that has successfully been re-branded and consider ways to adapt their linking.

5) Bring your entire team together and share the challenge and ask for their suggestions.

Assign specific responsibilities to the team members and set a deadline. Frequently when we're stuck we forget to ask those around us for help in solving the problem. If you have ideas on "Changing Your Orbit" and jump starting the process of creativity or problem solving, we'd love to hear them.

Buzz Knight is the Vice President of Program Development for Greater Media, Inc# he can be reached at bknight@greatermediaboston.com. Knight was named among ?Best Programmers? by Radio Ink Magazine in 2007 and 2010. He has served on the programming subcommittee of the National Association of Broadcasters(NAB) and is currently a member of the Arbitron Radio Advisory Council and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) COLRAM Committee.

(10/17/2011 12:30:04 AM) I never envied my PDs, Buzz. Sometimes it was like standing on a bridge and witnessing a guy diving in while still wearing steel-toed workboots in attempting a rescue.... of someone who was making a suicide attempt.

Let's say as a General Manager you are faced with a scenario where the owner of your company gets in a little trouble with the law. He or She is arrested. Let's use a driving while intoxicated charge as an example. Do you run that as a news story on your station? Do you consult the owner, who has now become the story, on whether you should run the story? What if your News Director takes a completely opposite position from yours, as the GM? Who makes the call then? It's certainly a sticky situation. So, we asked General Managers and news Directors across the country what the correct answer was. Here's what they had to say.

"Ed, to report it just because he is your station?s owner is not appropriate. I don?t know of any radio station that reports all of the DUI?s from the night before. The owner of a small radio group doesn?t warrant stations to report on it. Trade magazines, yes. If they committed a real crime that would be reported no matter who committed it, then it should be reported."

"Hi Ed. If the owner was from out of town and/or unknown to the average listener I would not run it, especially if there were no injuries or loss of life. If he/she was well-known in our community I would run it....or at least lobby very hard to run it. Without any injuries/loss of life, would probably just run a short reader mid-to-late newscast."

"No, our owner lives in (a different town). Not relevant to local news here. Unless it affected the station of course. If she were local, yes. We have a very small but loyal audience, they expect it. Even if it meant my job."

"I would run the story if I was in Chicago. I think it is only relevant if it means something to our listeners/viewers/readers. It would mean something in the market where the company is based. It?s no different than if the owner of another prominent business in the market were arrested for DUI. We would run it..no different for our own company. With that said, since I don?t own our company if I was told by ownership not to run it, then I wouldn?t."

"I came from a news background, so I would run it. Just the facts, no embellishment. I think it looks MUCH worse not to run the story since all of your competitors, print media, TV and the Internet will all be running the story."

"That?s a double edge sword. If I were news director, I would not run it. However, the competition would obviously get great mileage."

What would you do?Send comments (in confidence) to edryan@radioink.com and we will post your comments anonymously.

(10/17/2011 5:30:16 AM) It really depends on the severity of the crime...DUI no. Murder or rape, or robbery, yes. Just as someone else has said, if it is a reportable crime, report it. But don't be surprised if your boss is pissed when he gets out of jail.

Dayton morning show personality, Steve Kerrigan, who lost his battle with Multiple Myeloma in March, at the age of 51, was inducted into the Dayton Broadcasters' Hall of Fame on Friday night. A video of Steve's career was introduced by Chris Geisen, who for 13 years teamed with him as WTUE's legendary "Kerrigan and Christopher" morning show.

In remarks that left few dry eyes in the room, Chris recounted some of the memorable exploits and on-air stunts with which the duo left their mark on Dayton radio. In a touching acceptance speech, Steve's wife, Monique, who has also battled cancer, noted that in addition to Steve's career, her greatest pride had been in being his wife. Steve retired from on-air to battle his cancer in 2010, following a four year stint on WHKO as part of the "Nancy & Kerrigan Morning Show." He lent his high profile to numerous organizations, including MS, American Red Cross, Juvenile Diabetes and Leukemia/Lymphoma.Steve joins a growing roster of Dayton broadcasters enshrined in the hall of fame including Phil Donahue, Nancy Cartwright, Steve Kirk, Gene "By Golly" Barry, and Radio Ink's VP/General Manager, Deborah Parenti.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Attorneys for syndicated sports-talker host Paul Finebaum have won their battle to have the case heard in state court. Finebaum filed a lawsuit against Citadel when they still owned the station he's working on in Birmingham. The order was signed by United States District Judge Scott Cooglar.

The Birmingham Business Journal is reporting that Finebaum?s attorneys plan to target WJOX-FM General Manager Bill Thomas and drop other defendants. Thomas has told Radio Ink that he considers Finebaum a friend and expects he'll continue to honor his contract.

The new channel will feature programming from WNYC, the nation's most listened-to public radio station, including three popular news-talk shows: "The Brian Lehrer Show," "The Leonard Lopate Show," and "The Takeaway," a co-production of WNYC and Public Radio International. Clear Channel President John Hogan says The new WNYC News & Conversation channel will offer a compelling mix of news-talk programs from one of the most respected stations in America. It's an exciting addition to our current offering of 800 stations across the country."

"We are delighted that Clear Channel will offer a selection of programming from WNYC on iHeartRadio," said Thomas Hjelm, Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, New York Public Radio. "We are committed to making our programming available to the widest possible audience. Given iHeartRadio's affinity with talk radio fans, it is an effective platform to extend the reach of our programming among news-talk listeners across the country."

The search is on for a new programming department at KGO in San Francisco after 25 year veteran, Vice President of Programming, Jack Swanson and PD Ken Berry exit. Cumulus COO John Dickey told Radio Ink, "we are conducting a search for their replacement and we've received lots of quality interest."

Swanson a perennial Radio Ink "Best PD" handed in his resignation Friday, one of 8 employees who are no longer part of KGO. In addition to Swanson, Program Director Ken Berry and 6 other people are gone. Bill Bungeroth will oversee the stations and Diedra Lieberman has been demoted to V.P. of sales.

Bungeroth was moved into San Francisco back in March to oversee the 4 stations Cumulus already had in that market. You could tell Swanson was unsure of his future with Cumulus when the deal was announced and today it's official. He's gone. The station confirmed that Swanson has resigned and was out of the building and nobody knew how to reach him.

Swanson has been programming the station for 120 straight Arbitron #1 books. Here is some of what he told his former staff today: "For a good part of the last three decades you have been my daytime family, and this has been my professional home. We have shared the joys and sorrows of a family. The deaths, and the births. Earthquakes and wars. And in our spare time we helped some people survive Leukemia, eased the suffering of the homeless and most recently helped our neighbors feed their families.

Hi Ed ?I?ve been in this business a few years, and I have been honored by your publication on more than one occasion. But I can tell you from the bottom of my heart, nothing in my career has touched me as much as receiving this e-mail from you. Probably a sign of the difficult times we find ourselves in. But thank you.

KGO has gone through three general managers in the past 12 months. And with the arrival of Cumulus Media, our team is learning the ways of what for many of us is our 5th owner. One PD, same station, thru 5 owners. What are the odds? The professionalism of this staff through this much change is truly amazing

(10/15/2011 5:41:52 PM) I wouldn't be surprised to see SF bay area residents begin "OCCUPY FRONT STREET," any time soon.

In the tiny town of Liberty, New York, Country station WDNB, owned by Bold Gold Media, raised $42,000 for St. Jude's Children's hospital. Thunder 102 held its first ever Country Cares For St. Jude?s Kids Radiothon. The Country Cares Radiothon ran from 6 am to 7 pm each day and was sponsored by M & M Auto Group, Yellow Cab, Formaggio Cheese, Catskill Regional Medical Center, Hilltop Homes and Bethel Woods Center For The Arts.

Besides the actual days of the Radiothon, over 50 businesses throughout Thunder Country sold Bethel Woods Country Cares For St. Jude?s Kids Boot Cards for a minimum $1 donation. In all, ThunderHeads raised over $42,000 for St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital during two emotionally charged, but inspiring days. Paul Ciliberto, New York Market Manager and host of Ciliberto & Friends, was in tears as Danny Thomas? voice closed out the final moments of the 1st Annual Thunder 102 Country Cares Radiothon, ?With all that has happened in our community?Hurricane Irene, a tropical storm and flooding?our ThunderHeads still found the time to reach out to help others while in need themselves. I say it time and time again, but our ThunderHeads never cease to amaze me!?

St. Jude?s Children?s Research Hospital was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas and opened in 1962. Its mission?to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. In 1989, Randy Owen, a member of the country group Alabama, met with founder Danny Thomas who asked him to play a part in curing childhood cancer and Country Cares was born. Throughout the two day Radiothon, there were many from the Country Music Industry calling in to show support for St. Jude and Thunder 102?s efforts on St. Jude?s behalf. Everyone from up and coming artist Amber Hayes to charting artists, such as Josh Thompson, called in, 26 in all, but the most special of these calls took place early Friday when Paul Ciliberto picked up the line to be greeted by Country Cares founder Randy Owen who called in with words of encouragement, hope and thanks.

Has your station pulled off a great community event? You deserve the recognition. Send all details to edryan@radioink.com

Nearly three years to the day that media consulting firm Jacobs Media announced the formation of jacAPPS, the company has reached a significant milestone in mobile application development, its 500th application release. JacAPPS Vice President and General Manager Paul Jacobs tells Radio Ink, "when we started the iTunes Store was 3 months old. I don't think anyone had an idea - except maybe Steve Jobs - that apps would take off like this."

Jacobs says getting into the App business was a risky move that has reallp paid off. "Less than a year after we started jacAPPS we met with an investor friend of ours - a really smart, successful businessman. He told us he thought apps were a fad. Even a smart guy like him got it wrong. But I have to tell you, we launched the business in the fall of 2008 as the economy was cratering. And we sold our first twenty apps in the first 60 days. So there were some signs that we were onto something. We dove in headfirst and haven't stopped since."JacAPPS started selling Apps to radio and continue to sell a good percentage of our apps to radio stations but have also expanded accoring to Jacobs. "With the support of radio, we've been able to invest in people and processes so we can build even more sophisticated apps for radio and non-radio clients. Moving ahead, we are merging all of the skills of our company - app development, research, strategy, and social media and are creating a full-service mobile business to help our clients with all of their needs." And, to generate revenue for radio, Jacobs says, among other relationships, his partnership with Verve Wirelss is key. "We've integrated display ads through our partnership with Verve Wireless. We selected them because they enable stations to benefit from ads that Verve sells, but local stations can also sell ads locally and traffic them to the app through Verve's network. Stations are starting to integrate audio pre-rolls from TargetSpot also. Looking ahead, we are working on a major feature that provides stations with a scalable opportunity to have an app that works like a combination of Groupon Now and AroundMe. We think this is going to really unlock revenue for stations because it's so scalable, and enables stations to compete directly for mobile dollars."What is Jacobs' prediction for where JacAPSS will be in another 3 years. "I hope we are the largest full-service strategic consulting, research company, and mobile app development company in America. That would make me very happy."

Over the years, I have found that my dropping of the ?Y-Bomb? results in one of two, basic responses. Broadcasters either immediately panic and scurry away while covering their ears and muttering ?Na-na-na-na-na.? Or, they panic; muster up some righteous indignation; pick up their torches and pitchforks and look around to make sure there are others willing to head up the mountain. Those that have both experiences at the same time just vibrate to the point where they explode right there on the spot.

Given the pressures Radio is under ? despite the Happy Daze pronouncements by some senior ownership who are blissfully unaware many of their stations? scurvy-ridden crews are ripping up the hull planks, scrounging for lemon peels - this is no time to be hiding behind or spewing Dogma. To be succinct: There is no Santa. There is no Easter Bunny. There is no Tooth Fairy and there is no Personal Listener. I could go deeper, but that would become a dust-up for another time and another bar. Suffice for me to say, I?m a secular Canadian. All I really have to be is ?nice?.

The ?Y-Bomb?, to continue, is not a precision weapon either. Nor is it ?clean?. It?s a ?dirty? bomb; leaves large holes, tons of collateral damage and renders the environment toxic for long periods. The moment a broadcaster says ?You?, the largest portion of any audience is only ticking moments away from being blown off by being unable to relate to or believe whatever else in which that ?you? has been wrapped. But, the broadcaster has (unknowingly) made it incumbent on the listener that they do go through a process of attempting to relate and believe!

For example: The nice announcer says, ?? and I?m glad to have you here with me.? Although a banal, vacuous and innocuous statement anyway, it also challenges a listener to wonder how they got to be with the announcer? when they?re not! If the otherwise nice announcer were to change that somewhat by saying, ?? and it?s great to have you listening.? the, by now, befuddled listener is obliged to conclude: ?He has no way of knowing that. And besides, I wasn?t actually ?listening ? it?s just on in the background.?

This is an ongoing, everyday, every shift, almost every set, every spot and every promo phenomenon. There?s no need for me to complete the list. So many examples ? so little time. Rule: People process language, first ? literally! Yikes! An extremely impressive incidence of this noxious behavior, however, comes mostly from all those TV stations and some radio stations who have chosen to market themselves with that whining, pandering, patronizing statement: ?On Your Side.?

On My Side!? When? In what way? What? Who? You? Me? Huh? Even my normally tolerant offspring might respond to that by texting the station back with a slightly more strident: ?STFU!? The station might be as well served, if not respected, were they to simply come out and say, ?Since we have decided our audience is made up of gullible, credulous, clodhopper-hicks, we believe we can ram just about any scat in here; tell them anything and these four-toothed goofs will believe it.? They could be right ? but only some of the time. Many folks are wising up. It?s a trend. Meanwhile, anybody else willing to stake the prosperity of their broadcasting business based on such a proposition? Apparently? yes!

Is it any wonder stations keep telling us how wonderful, sincere, credible and worthwhile they are? No, because they are none of those. If they were, we would already know it ? without being told. And if audiences ever figure that one out in larger numbers?.woo-hoo!

As to The Personal Listener: That was first offered to newbies as a fantasy-technique to get over mic-fright. It was never intended to be anything more than a part-time, short-term metaphor. Nor was it ever thought through to the point where a later reality-check would become a necessary therapy. It was expected a rookie would, in time, get past all that and realize ? all by they own se?ves - they were talking at/to an audience made up of many individuals ? none of whom was in the ongoing awareness of the broadcaster.

It?s true that some deluded listeners insist they are being talked to ? exclusively. But, help is available. Experientially, that is more a comment about a subjective feeling - not a verifiable fact. Broadcasters, however, who agree and continue to feel the same way have less of an excuse and even more issues about which to be severely concerned. That thing, that assumption, nevertheless, just hasn?t turned out properly. What we had was a useful story that became a myth that became mythology that became accepted wisdom that became: Dogma? and we?ve been screwing ourselves up on the premise ever since.

Fortunately, even better alternatives do exist and, once again - help is available.

Ronald T. Robinson has been involved in Canadian Radio since the '60s as a performer, writer and coach and has trained and certified as a personal counsellor. Ron makes the assertion that the most important communicative aspects of broadcasting, as they relate to Talent and Creative, have yet to be addressed. Check out his website www.voicetalentguy.com

(10/17/2011 6:51:01 AM) Blather. Come on Ronald. Radio is a PERSONAL medium. We talk directly to the invidual. If you aren't, you are not reaching your audience. Which radio station are you using your theories on these days? Any at all? If so, is it a competitive station, or just another spot on the dial that your nameless, faceless, personality-less staff inhabits until the ends of their shifts? Pfffft.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Thursday Emmis Communications reported earning for three months that ended August 31st. Results were flat compared to the same three months in 2010. Radio revenue for June, July and August of 2011 was slightly over $50 million. In 2010 radio revenue was $51,500. Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan said "we are working against the background of a very tough economy but I'm upbeat." After the call, Smulyan sent out the following e-mail to his employees.

This morning we announced financial results for Emmis' second quarter (June-July-August). I wanted to share the details with you. The news is encouraging. August was the best month in nearly a year for our Radio Division - we were up a whopping 10% over the same month from last year. For the second quarter, Emmis' domestic revenues (excluding the Merlin properties) were up 4% over the same period from last year. Perhaps most impressively, our stations are beating their in-market competitors for advertising dollars: our stations have outperformed their markets in 9 of the last 12 months.

While Publishing revenues were down 4% during the quarter, things are on the upswing. The third quarter looks much stronger for our city/regional/specialty magazines division.

On Sept. 1, we closed the Merlin transaction, which sent our two Chicago radio stations and WRXP in New York to Merlin, and reduced the company's debt by 38%. Our financial condition is the best it has been in three years. For the first time in a long time - we are ready to play offense.

Emmis continues to be the epicenter of innovation in the radio industry. Whether it is the recently unveiled HD radio smartphone app, the Broadcaster's Traffic Consortium, our social impact marketing firm Incite, the launch of Hot97 and Power106 content as part of Facebook's music launch, or the formation of the Loud Digital Network, just to name a few, all of these were created within Emmis. While we may not be the largest operator in our markets, we are undoubtedly the most innovative.

So why does the stock price not reflect this positive news? I know that is a widespread source of frustration. I learned long ago that Wall Street doesn't always make sense. If we continue to execute, we believe this challenge will cure itself. We have at least until February 2012 to get the stock price above $1.

Despite the upbeat news, our markets remain choppy and the general economy remains shaky, so we must be diligent. I know the road has been a long one, but together we will get to the other side of this mountain. All you do everyday is helping us get there. For that, I thank you.

Best,

Jeff

(10/13/2011 3:02:28 PM) Hey Jeff - how much did you really piss away on the HD Radio lead-balloon?

This one is certainly going to frustrate some of you. Seems like everyone's getting a bailout these days so why not a public radio station? If you can't raise enough money during a pledge drive, not to worry, just hit up your local government, they'll take care of you. Could you imagine a commercial radio station GM going to the local City Council to ask for a loan because his sales team just couldn't close the deals in Q2? She'd get laughed right out of the room. This also makes you wonder if the City of Utah will now get more favorable news coverage, among other things, from the station because of the money exchanging hands. It's always about the money.

KCPW Public Radio is an NPR affiliate and Utah?s first and only 24-hour commercial-free news and information station. The station is owned by Wasatch Public Media, a Utah non-profit corporation. It's membership-supported and now, apparently government supported as it received a low-interest (5%) loan from the Salt Lake City Council for $250,000. The station already pays the city $1,200 rent (for 3,000 square feet by the way) because the station is housed in a city library.

The station hopes to repay the city with proceeds from a fund drive. However, the city may forgive the interest in exchange for on-air spots promoting the city. The Salt Lake Tribune editorial board was not real happy with the City's decision. Read the editorial HERE

(10/14/2011 6:59:40 AM) What an inane, cynical, and poorly written piece of politicized drivel. It's quite clear from previous commentaries that Radio Ink believes public radio should just go away, but this hard-headed, meanspirited, and mindless piece of reporting -- topped with the headline "Government Bails Out Radio Station" -- goes way over the edge. The Salt Lake City council obviously sees a need for a public radio station to exist in its community, and has structured an arrangement to help it through what appears to be a period of donor difficulty. But a "bailout"? Come on... If you've been paying attention to the news, Wall Street banks received their "bailout" three years ago. The automotive industry [GM and Chrysler] got a bailout two years ago, and they are now thriving rather than bankrupt. But to cxharacterize in the framework of "seems like everyone is getting a bailout these days" is so far off the mark that one wonders if Radio Ink's editorial team has been spending too much time in Glenn Beckistan, learning how to speak first and think later. And to suggest that SLC will get more favorable news coverage because of the arrangement KCPW has with the city council is about as inane as saying that any commercial news station will treat its advertisers any differently than any other business or individual in the market. I expect so much better than this from you, Radio Ink.

One of radio?s intrinsic benefits has been its ability to garner a sense of community through its local ties. This makes radio an ideal advertising medium for small local businesses. Mom and Pop shops drive local economies, but often lack the necessary funds to embark on big advertising campaigns. By including a mobile call to action in local radio ads, small shops can build re-marketable databases that add up to huge success.

Here are a couple great examples:A local grocery store in a small market was looking to build its own opted-in text club from which it hoped to push out weekly coupons and offers to its customers. The store promoted the text club in three ways:? Two of Hipricket?s local radio station clients promoted the store?s text club through its local database. ? The store aired spots on each of the radio stations promoting the club.? The store advertised the text club in its weekly circular.

For a fairly low upfront investment (the store was already advertising on the stations, and it paid nothing to advertise in its own circular) the grocery store was able to garner more than 8,600 members to its text club, and that number continues to grow. Perhaps an even better indicator of the program?s success is that members of the text club have shown a redemption rate of between 25-30 percent for coupons they have received.

In a second example, an Italian chain restaurant was interested in building in an opted-in database of local customers in a small (100+) market. The restaurant chose to advertise a Text 2 Win contest on its local radio station. The offer was for one lucky listener to win free pasta for a year. Advertisements asked listeners to text the word ?FREE? to a short code to be entered to win. The contest ran between August and September and generated 905 entries from 722 unique listeners. Once entered, listeners were asked to join the restaurant?s mobile club to continue receiving offers. The restaurant had astonishing success with 274 people (38 percent of those who entered the contest) opting into the club. Not bad for a small market!

These are just two examples of how combining local radio stations with mobile marketing can create a winning combination for small businesses. I urge small market stations everywhere to share these success stories to boost their own ad dollars and bolster local business and community.

Ivan Braiker is a former radio CEO who still loves the radio business. He's now the CEO of HipCricket and can be reached at ivan@hipcricket.com

Forecast 2012 keynote, Dial Global-syndicated radio host, and best-selling author Michael Smerconish says he's "looking forward to participating at Forecast," where he'll be conducting a live interview with a high-profile, controversial special guest newsmaker. Forecast is set for December 6 at the Harvard Club in New York. Smerconish says "Given this individual's past battles with Wall Street, I can't wait to ask him about Occupy Wall Street, among other pressing matters."

Radio Ink VP/General Manager Deborah Parenti believes this presentation will be compelling, but may stir some strong reaction. "The interview format he has chosen for the opening keynote is one in which he is exceptionally gifted, and, as with his radio show, Michael has not shied from injecting some controversy into his interview choice," Parenti says. "This could be one of the most provocative presentations ever at Forecast."

The award-winning Smerconish's impressive resume speaks for itself: He was the first radio host to interview President Obama from the White House, was named Local Personality of the Year by R&R, and made Philadelphia magazine's list of the most powerful citizens. His best-selling books have advanced meaningful discussion in our post-9/11 world, and his contributions to MSNBC and many respected periodicals have brought his message to readers and viewers across the country.

Forecast is Radio Ink's eagerly anticipated annual radio industry financial conference -- the only one of its kind. Radio owners, CEOs, CFOs, group executives, managers and Wall Street analysts gather to discuss the state of the radio industry and predictions for the coming year. Participants hear about current and upcoming trends and opportunities, and meet the trendsetters of tomorrow. There are only 200 seats available, so early registration is encouraged.

Each year after the conference, Radio Ink invites the 40 Most Powerful People in Radio to pick up their plaques and join us for cocktails in their honor. The 2011 40 Most Powerful featured more new faces than any time in the list's history, and Forecast attendees will get the exclusive opportunity to mingle with both new entrants and the perennials in New York's elegant Harvard Club. Only registered conference attendees are guaranteed invitations to the after-party. Attendance is limited to 200.

Don't miss your chance to gather with, and learn from, the best in radio at Forecast 2012. Get your tickets today!

Some detail from Smulyan's comments about June, July and August worth noting that we'll be watching as other public company's come to the reporting table. 9 out of the top 10 Emmis advertisers for August came from the beverage or wireless categories. In fact, the beverage business was up a whopping 45% in August of 2011. That includes beer, spirits and soft drinks. Additionally, for the quarter, Emmis' top five categories were Automotive, Beverages, Wirelss, Health Care and Movies. Smulyan, who is always upbeat about his company and radio in general, also said Emmis sold 81% of its inventory in the quarter but was able to increase rate by 7%.

As a result of the sale of three stations to Merlin, Emmis has been able to repay 38% of its debt and hopes to refinance when the credit markets are more favorable for the company to do so. Smulyan said "we have just about gotten to the top of a very big hole. We're not there yet but we have come a very long way. We are seeing some positive signs."

First Pandora, now HD. The new 2012 Cadillac CUE system will include HD Radio in the Cadillac XTS luxury sedan. HD Radio will become a feature in new Cadillac models in the 2012 calendar year."HD Radio is an excellent addition to CUE, the groundbreaking user experience for connectivity and control that will debut next year in the new XTS luxury sedan", says Hampden Tener, Product Director, Cadillac.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Mike Thomas, who has served as Program Director for CBS RADIO Boston?s WZLX-FM (Classic Rock) since 2006 and WBZ-FM (The Sports Hub) since 2009, will continue to oversee all programming and strategic planning for the two stations. Thomas will assume an expanded role at all five CBS RADIO Boston stations including WBZ-AM, WBMX-FM and WODS-FM working with PD's at those stations on content development and audience acquisition.

Thomas has nearly 20 years of top management experience as a radio program director. Before serving as Program Director for CBS RADIO Boston?s WZLX, WBCN and 98.5 The Sports Hub, Thomas was Program Director as well as midday on-air personality at KGB in San Diego, CA. Prior to that he programmed WFBQ in Indianapolis, IN, WTUE and WXEG in Dayton, OH and WYMG in Springfield, IL.

Monday was Columbus Day here in the States, so let?s revisit the Christopher Columbus School of Management. The mantra is:?You don?t know where you?re going when you leave, you don?t know where you are once you get there, and you don?t know where you?ve been once you get back.? Not a good place to be, especially in management.

Recently, a sales manager went into her review. What appeared obvious to management (struggling new sales manager) wasn?t clear to her; in her mind, nothing was wrong.

Here are 10 things to make sure you?re NOT doing!

Letting sales reps manage you: Reps show up late for work. Weekly work plans are not submitted on time. Sales meetings are shunned and attendance is disjointed. Account lists are not up to date. These are the first signs that you are being managed by your reps, instead of you managing them.

Automatically distributing call-ins equally: There?s nothing written that states you have to divide sales call-ins equally. Screen call-ins before they?re given to a rep, and use them to reward outstanding sales reps. Some managers use them to help reps meet their goals. If they?re working hard and progressing, then that?s fine. Otherwise, helping a rep who is not performing is to reward lack of productivity. It?s your call. Sometimes, it?s good to house call-ins for a short period of time or use them to build up a list for a future sales superstar.

You?re too close to your staff: There is a fine line between caring and being too close to your people. Attending functions with one sales rep means you need to be at functions with all of them. Being too close can often lead to you not being able to really hold a rep accountable for performance. Sharing confidential information is a classic case of managing down. Staying out late after public functions with your reps can lead to rumors.

Playing favorites: It?s one thing to get a rep up and running in the field, but spending too much time with one rep will get noticed. You should be riding in the field and coaching all of them. Continually allowing a rep to miss their sales goals and keeping them on staff while somebody else has been let go because they didn?t hit their goals is favoritism. When a rep spends too much time in your office?. Asking for help is one thing, harboring in your office is another.

Managing by sales reps, not by accounts: Having a good account management system eliminates the quarrels that go with someone claiming an account that?s been called on by another rep. A good system moves accounts around. You should always put your best reps in front of your best accounts. You job is to maximize the accounts in your market trade area. It?s about the accounts. Developing your sales reps is an entirely different subject.

Letting stagnation and entitlement set in: Keep fresh blood in your sales department. One of the best ways to sharpen a sales manager is to periodically have a new rep come on board. It keeps the sales manager tuned in, out on the street in the real world, and facing the challenges that training a new rep can bring. It?s also good to have a varied blend of ages on staff. Younger reps will keep you dialed into the new language and in tune with social media.

Letting the poison cheese fester: If someone has a bad attitude, it will spread like a disease. Keep it out of your bullpen.

Not knowing where your reps are going and where they?ve been: Simply put, either you don?t care or you?re not on top of your game. I like five-minute rapid-fire meetings at the end of the day, either on the phone or in person. It gives me a good feel for what a rep did that day and, more importantly, where they?re going tomorrow. You don?t need to be the Sheriff here, it?s about coaching.

You don?t train consistently: When was the last time you had a training meeting in your sales department, focused on the fundamentals of sales? The problem I see today is that reps are not being continually taught. Setting up a good 13-week training program with a test at the end and rewards to top learners is fun and exciting.

You don?t write it down. One of my favorite managers always had a pen and pad on him. When you told him something, he wrote it down. He never forgot anything. He did what he said he would do, and that was everything to me as a sales rep.

In Barcelona, Spain, there is a statue of Christopher Columbus pointing to the New World. That?s where he got his funding for his trips. If you notice the statue and where he?s pointing -- he?s pointing in the wrong direction. Hopefully some of the top 10 things to avoid will lead you in the right direction, no matter if you?re a young sales manager or a veteran.

Sean Luce is the Head National Instructor for the Luce Performance Group and can be reached at sean@luceperformancegroup.com.

Anderson was the Senior VP for Media Networks and it sounds like the change was something coming for both sides. Cumulus says the change comes as part of the restructuring although others say Anderson had another opportunity that he'll be announcing shortly. Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey tells Radio Ink the change "will better enable us to mine our platform for content, identify holes and/or weaknesses and then make coordinated investments in content and services that are warranted." And Anderson's replacement will be announced shortly as part of the organizational restructuring."

Clear Channel has promoted Brian Lakamp to the position of President of Clear Channel Digital. It's a newly created position for Lakamp. he was Executive Vice President of Digital Media at Clear Channel. Lakamp reports to John Hogan.

In his new role, Lakamp will oversee the company?s digital strategy, which includes iHeartRadio as well as the infrastructure, tools and social media integration for its local stations? branded Internet properties. He will also continue to work with partners to develop tools and products for all of Clear Channel?s radio, media and entertainment properties.

Since November 2010, Clear Channel?s digital initiatives have been led by Bob Pittman, who served as Chairman of Clear Channel?s Media and Entertainment Platforms. Pittman, who was recently named CEO of CC Media Holdings, will remain closely involved in the company?s digital strategy.

Clear Channel has also named Pablo Calamera Chief Technology Officer of Clear Channel Digital. Calamera formerly led the team that developed Thumplay?s state-of-the-art digital music technology as their Chief Technology Officer.

We had a GM send in a great question for attorney John Garziglia in our weekly "Ask The Attorney" segment. "I would like to know if the FCC will take any action on newspaper cross ?ownership issues and as well as ?loosening? ownership restrictions with the current Obama administration in office."

John Garziglia says: As background, it was in 1975 that the FCC first banned the cross-ownership of a daily newspaper and radio/television stations in the same market. For radio ownership, the current scheme in which radio station owners can own a combination of up to eight AM and FM radio stations in a market is the result of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

The FCC is required by law to review its media ownership rules every four years. The current review commenced in 2010. Thus, arguably every media ownership rule is now on the table. The FCC in its current ownership Notice of Inquiry, according to it, is taking ?a fresh look at the rules to determine whether they serve its public interest goals of competition, localism and diversity going forward in today?s marketplace?.

To put the FCC?s current ownership proceedings into perspective, up until 1996 it was unimaginable to many people that the FCC and Congress would do away with the radio national ownership limits entirely, and adopt rules that allowed for up to eight radio stations in a market. The fact that this happened as a result of the 1996 Telecommunications Act awakened public interest groups to the issue of media ownership.

The combination of a scrutiny by public interest groups of the changes resulting from the 1996 Telecommunications Act, and the then nascent power of the public to comment upon FCC proceedings through the Internet, resulted in the years immediately after being a turning point for public participation in the FCC?s ownership proceedings. In recent years, just about every proposed change to the FCC?s ownership rules has been strongly challenged, at the FCC, in Congress and in court, by public interest groups and the public behind those groups.

This brings us to the question of whether there is likely to be any relaxation of the newspaper cross-ownership rules, or any other ownership rule in the near term. The relaxation of the newspaper cross-ownership rules is promoted by several large entities with evident self-interest. It is opposed by public interest groups wary of going back to what they saw as the power wielded by strong newspaper/broadcast station combinations prior to 1975. In strong favor of a relaxation of the newspaper cross-ownership rules is the sad state of the newspaper business in today?s world. If the rule is relaxed, it is likely to be the result of a realization by the FCC and the administration that changes to cross-ownership restrictions have the potential to rescue some daily newspapers from almost certain future oblivion.

Radio broadcasters have recently pushed for the elimination of the radio ownership rules AM/FM sub-caps. Out of a combination of eight stations allowed in the largest markets, a broadcaster is limited to owning five FMs and three AMs, or the reverse. An elimination of the AM/FM sub-caps would allow for broadcasters in the largest markets to own any combination of no more than eight FMs or eight AMs with a sliding scale for smaller markets.

Such a change would undoubtedly spur new transactional activity, and would be a benefit to the consolidation goals of many broadcasters. Because broadcasters desiring to take advantage of the elimination of the sub-cap relaxation would have to spin off stations, the sub-cap elimination would arguably make stations available for new entrants to purchase.

To the extent that the current administration?s focus has been on communications issues other than broadcasting, it is possible that an AM/FM sub-cap elimination may be seriously considered as merely a minor tweak to the current restrictions. The FCC will often sway to the desires of Congress. If significant legislators are convinced by broadcasters of the good that would flow from the elimination of the AM/FM sub-caps, the FCC may see the wisdom of a change. In this time of hyper-scrutiny to all governmental restrictions on business, it is hard to make a case as to why there are the specific sub-caps in the first instance ? why five FMs and three AMs instead of four FMs and four AMs, and so forth. It can be easily argued that the sub-caps are arbitrary and largely nonsensical.

But, public interest groups will likely see changes to both the newspaper cross-ownership rules and to the AM/FM sub-caps as leading to significant further consolidation. Whether the public interest groups are able to push back with enough ferocity to what are arguably minor tweaks to the FCC?s ownership rules is yet to be seen.

John F. Garziglia is a Communications Law Attorney with Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice in Washington, DC and can be reached at (202) 857-4455 or jgarziglia@wcsr.com. Have a question for our "Ask The Attorney" feature? Send to edryan@radioink.com.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Beasley now has a free digital app through iRadioNOW for Android smartphones. Developed by Quu iRadioNOW for Android products features multiple ways a listener can interact. 36 Beasley stations across the country can be accessed on the Android.

Listeners using the Beasley iRadioNOW app for Android smartphones will ?hear? and ?see? radio; the experience includes: ? Album Art? Song Details ? view lyrics and artists biographies, watch music videos and purchase ringtones ? ?Now Playing? information - and scroll through the last 30 songs played? Direct access to the radio station?s Facebook wall and the ability to share content on Facebook and Twitter? Opportunity for listeners to rate and purchase songs

Beasley?s iRadioNOW Android application finds radio stations in multiple ways: by name; by city; by format; and through the Android smartphone?s internal GPS to determine the user?s exact location. A favorite station continues to play when the device is locked and iRadioNOW remembers the last radio station played for the listener?s next digital visit.

Tune-in, interact, purchase and learn more about your favorite stations, songs and artists ? it?s all available for free by downloading Beasley?s iRadioNOW app from the Android Market (requires Android version 2.1 and up).

Buckley is the Vice President and Director of Sales at WOR Radio New York. She was elected as a trustee following an election at the RAB Board meeting in New York last week. Buckley has been at WOR for 10 years, first as a local account executive, then local sales manager. She has been in her current role of overseeing Buckley?s New York sales operation at both their station and syndicated network for three years.

Buckley Broadcasting has a long history with the RAB. President and Chief Executive Officer, Joe Bilotta, and the late Rick Buckley both served as Chairs of the Radio Advertising Bureau's Board of Directors and Trustees. Bilotta said, ?With Jen?s involvement on the RAB Board it will be a fitting extension and evolvement of the legacy that her father established with this organization. Rick always believed in the mission of the RAB, and in Jen, we will benefit from the energy and vitality that she will bring to the table?.

Jennifer Buckley is a graduate of Boston College, where she captained the Women?s Ice Hockey Team.

The first-ever nationwide EAS test is less than a month away (November 9th) and the NAB is helping stations get geared up for this "diagnostic exercise." NAB has created a checklist so stations know what to do. And, with the FCC and FEMA, the NAB has produced PSA's you can download to help remind listeners the test is coming. Samples of the script are also available if you want to cut them yourself.

Get the checklist and download the PSA's HERE

The NAB is encouraging broadcasters to begin airing the PSAs at least one week before the test, and with increasing frequency as November 9 approaches. For further information about the National EAS Test, NAB members may contact NAB's Legal Department at (866) 682-0276 or (202) 429-5430. Stations may also refer to the FCC's National EAS Test website or FEMA's National EAS Test website.

The radio and TV tower is located on Chestnut Street in Newton, near Interstate 95 and its reported the man fell 500 feet to his death. American Tower issued a statement saying it is "deeply saddened" by the man's death and has suspended work at the site pending a full review. The company said it is cooperating with authorities investigating the accident. The man was part of a subcontractor's crew placing a new antenna pole and safety ladder. He said he did not know how high the man was working when he fell at about 1 p.m.

Clear Channel has added the popular faith-based K-LOVE and Air1 networks to the company's iHeartRadio platform. Beginning Monday iHeartRadio users will be able to listen to K-LOVE and Air1 music and programming. The alternative Air1 targets the 25-34 demo and features artists like Switchfoot, Tenth Avenue North and Skillet. K-LOVE targets 35-44 year olds featuring MercyMe, Third Day, Toby Mac and Chris Tomlin.

Maybe it was the photo of Lujack with Billy Joel we posted to the website. Maybe it was the aircheck of his last show. Maybe it's just because Larry Lujack WAS the best Jock of the 1960's. Whatever the reason, Lujack is now in the lead on day 3. Here is your new order and keep the votes coming. 1. Larry Lujack 2. Don Steele 3. Dan Ingram. 4. Cousin Brucie 5. Dick Biondi. Throw up a minor debate about who was the best DJ of the 1960's and you never know who you'll find out reads Radio Ink.

VOTE IN OUR POLL NOW Or just read everyone's cool comments.

Rick Snyder worked with his friend Jay Clark "back in the day" at WTRY in Albany, New York and he says "I thought it was fascinating that the 2 of us, long time friends, listed comments on this article." Snyder made a great post, coming up with his own listing accompanied by well-thought-out comments, to our poll that we decided to share here. Enjoy!

East Coast flavor but all great. Dan Ingram (WABC) (Without a doubt, the best of the best) Funny, fast, original, smooth, great voice, an on air presence that was unmistakable Bruce Bradley (WBZ, Boston) Funny, smooth as silk, entertaining on a full service top 40 giant Joey Reynolds (everywhere) One of the best, a rebel, creative, unique delivery, left his mark wherever he was Dick Biondi (Buffalo, Chicago) Unique, unforgettable Don Weeks (Albany, New York) Another smooth, funny morning man. Original, very funny, stay in the Albany market because he loved it there. Dale Dorman (Syracuse, Boston) Outrageous, zany, weird voice, funny and original, creative. Herb Oscar Anderson (WABC) the most consistent, smooth delivery. Morning mayor, believable, friendly and still around Dave Maynard (WBZ, Boston) The smoothest mid day guy ever with a smiling voice, friendly delivery, quick and humorous. Tommy Saunders (Syracuse, San Francisco). Great voice, smooth delivery, quiet sense of humor and a great boss. Rick Snyder (Syracuse, Albany, Portland, Maine). Yeah, it?s me, but everyone told me I was one of the best top 40 jocks they ever heard) Boy, was this fun.We were kings of the air in the best time for radio ever!Radio LiferRick Snyder (in this picture - on the left Rick Snyder with Jay Clark)

Reach out to Rick HERE or leave your comments about his list belowVote in our Poll HERE

Monday, October 24, 2011

The Pittsburgh Pirates have not won a World Series since 1979 (can you name who they defeated?), however CBS RADIO has lots of love for the team that Stargell built. The Pirates and KDKA-FM, Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan, announced they've entered into a multi-year agreement beginning with the 2012 season. The games were being carried on Clear Channel's WPGB-FM.

KDKA-FM is the lone 24/7 sports station in Pittsburgh. KDKA will also broadcast pre- and post-game shows for all 162 regular-season games and the "Neal Huntington Show" prior to Sunday Pirates games. Pirates broadcasters Greg Brown, Tim Neverett, Steve Blass, Bob Walk and John Wehner will continue to call the game action, and will also be heard as regular guests on CBS RADIO's Pittsburgh stations. Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game broadcasts will continue to be aired on the Pirates Radio Network, which is owned by the team. The network consists of 38 radio station affiliates across four states.

Federal prosecutors are preparing to target radio stations that advertise medical marijuana dispensaries in California. This month, U.S. attorneys representing four districts in California said they would single out landlords and property owners who rent buildings or land where dispensaries sell or cultivators grow marijuana. The media could be their next target. U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said marijuana advertising is the next area she's "going to be moving onto as part of the enforcement efforts in Southern California." "I'm not just seeing print advertising," Duffy said in an interview with California Watch and KQED. "I'm actually hearing radio and seeing TV advertising. It's gone mainstream. Not only is it inappropriate ? one has to wonder what kind of message we're sending to our children ? it's against the law."Federal law prohibits people from placing ads for illegal drugs, including marijuana, in "any newspaper, magazine, handbill or other publication." The law could conceivably extend to online ads; the U.S. Department of Justice recently extracted a $500 million settlement from Google for selling illegal ads linking to online Canadian pharmacies.Duffy said her effort against TV, radio or print outlets would first include "going after these folks with ... notification that they are in violation of federal law." She noted that she also has the power to seize property or prosecute in civil and criminal court.Broadcast attorney David Oxenford says California stations should think twice about taking these ads. "Whether or not these prosecutions will be successful on their own may be subject to debate, but broadcasters, as Federal licensees, need to be particularly careful in their actions. There is rumored to be at least one complaint pending at the FCC against a broadcaster who ran medical marijuana ads. As an agency of the Federal government, whose Justice Department has said that pot is not a legal drug, the FCC would be hard-pressed to say that it is alright for a station to advertise for a marijuana clinic. With license renewals now pending or about to be filed by all broadcast stations, the opportunities for more objections, and sanctions based on any such complaint, are many. So, once again, we caution restraint when a broadcast station is offered the opportunity to make a few dollars from a clinics ads. The dollars you make may be far overshadowed by the dollars you spend defending a legal action - whether it be before the FCC or before a Federal court."

Seven states, including California, allow for medical marijuana to be distributed in dispensaries, though more than 200 California cities and nearly two dozen counties have bans or moratoriums in place on storefront pot businesses. The industry has otherwise exploded in recent years, including a marked increase in delivery services.

Custom Channels is again offering an easy way for radio stations of any format to take advantage of the annual Christmas music gold rush with a fully custom Holiday Music Channel streamed from their station?s website. For the 12th year, Custom Channels provides a ?soup to chestnuts? package that includes everything a station needs to stream a customized ?All Christmas Music? version of their station? including music licensing ? during the holidays for as little as $950.

?Some of our clients view their streaming Holiday Music Channel as merely a way to generate additional revenue- that?s great, but it?s really much bigger than that,? said Dave Rahn, co-founder and president of Custom Channels. ?Research has shown that listeners to all formats seek out Christmas music during the holidays ? so if you?re not providing that service under your brand umbrella, you?re virtually forcing listeners to tune away to media you don?t control and can?t monetize. For example, Rahn expects Pandora to see a big uptick in listeners seeking Christmas music this year.

During our nationwide search for the best PD's in America I often came across a tidbit of information someone sends in that really grabs my attention. Our goal is to make these lists more than just lists. We want you to know who these people are. Everyone's work is important and everyone's life is special. When I find that tidbit of information I do what any nosey reporter does, I pry. And that's what I did with Diane Newman, the Program Director at Entercom's legendary WWL in New Orleans.

Diane's role model is 81 year old Althea Lanoix Newman, her mom. That's pretty cool when your mom is first on the list of people you admire. Mrs. Newman, Diane's Mom, is a breast cancer survivor and I'm sure pretty darn proud of her daughter. You know what they say about the "C" word. If it's in your family you better get checked out. So, about one year ago, Diane Newman goes in for a checkup and hears the words "suspicious mammogram." I don't want to give away too much of the story because Diane tells it so well. This is more than a story about a great PD at a legendary radio station. It's about company becoming family and in return being rewarded with great employees. It's a great story, for many reasons, and we're glad Diane allowed us to share it all with you.

How long have you been in radio?I?ve been in radio since February 1981. I was working on a masters in Communications at UNO ?had worked in TV for a couple of years?thought I?d get a feel for radio and maybe stay a year. I was hired as a part-time studio producer for $3.81 an hour. My father thought I was out of my mind. He said, ?Diane, I have tellers who earn more than that. You have a degree.? 30 years later--here I am! Most programmers have to travel around the country?from smaller markets to bigger markets?until they land at their dream station. I started out there?WWL!

In 1989 Keymarket Communications, Johnny Andrews (GM) and Bob Christopher (OM), gave me the opportunity to be the Program Director for WWL. In 1999 Entercom bought our radio cluster. They named me Operations and Program Director in 2000. We had a lot of catching up to do. Entercom was so progressive. They were shocked that we were still using typewriters in the newsroom at the legendary WWL!

What's that like?Programming a legendary station like WWL is an honor and a privilege?really. This station has been around since 1922. It?s an institution?as much a part of New Orleans as St. Louis Cathedral?gumbo?and the mighty Mississippi. President John F. Kennedy used the powerful signal of WWL to speak to the Cuban people during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

WWL helped rescue my family from flood waters in Gentilly during Hurricane Betsy in the 1960?s. Then, ironically, in 2005, I was programming WWL when it became a lifeline to New Orleans, the Gulf South and the nation?during Hurricane Katrina. It?s an amazing, powerful, demanding stage. You have to bring your ?A? game all the time. It settles for no less. And, people may think of New Orleans as a medium size market, but truth is?when it comes to news, controversy, unexpected stories and events?it?s a top 10 news market. It churns constantly.

Marry all that action with this radio station that reaches 5 states daytime/38-plus at night?and the demands of a News-Talk-Sports format that?s live and local 19 hours a day?and you?re in constant motion. Katrina aftermath, BP Oil Spill, Saints win Super Bowl. It?s exciting, demanding, fun. Andy Holt, my good friend who now programs KOIT in San Francisco always tells me, ?Di, I could never do your job?I?m not that smart.? My response? ?Not true. Besides?it?s called stamina and endurance.? Sure you need smarts, but you better be ready?all the time. Plan A, plan B, plan C? plan G? And, it helps to surround yourself with extraordinary people, who have gifts you don?t have or talents that compliment yours. The one thing that made me fall in love with radio is its collaborative nature. You HAVE TO play team ball or you fail. At WWL we prepare, plan, play like the pros.When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2010. I had a ?suspicious? mammogram. I?ve had that before, so I didn?t panic. I get mammograms religiously, because my Mom had breast cancer in her early 40?s. (She?s my role model. Althea Lanoix Newman is now 81 years old. God is good!)

What was your initial reaction when you heard the C word?After the ultra sound and the biopsy, I kinda felt it coming. The techs involved didn?t SAY anything, but their actions said a lot?avoiding eye contact, or being overly reassuring. But, when Dr. Stolier told me, ?it?s cancer?...suddenly the world fell silent. I could die. I cried for about 30 seconds?then I put my war paint on??Doc, what?s our game plan? What do we do next?? We met the next morning. I don?t know much?but I know when to surrender. I know radio. I don?t know cancer. I know how to be a good daughter, sister, friend, lover?I know how to dance?I don?t have the ability to remove cancer from my body. Dr. Alan Stolier?s the brilliant surgeon everybody recommended. I surrendered.

How did the operation/treatment etc affect your ability to work?Once diagnosed I had to get numerous other tests?a breast MRI, a body scan, more blood work, x-rays, another ultra sound. I?d get my tests then go to work. I learned from my Mom that cancer has no power over you, if you don?t keep it a secret. I told my staff and all my friends and co-workers in our cluster?all they wanted to do was help me through. They even gave me a chemo shower! Seven of the guys shaved their heads and did a video to honor me!

And, what David Field (CEO), Deborah Kane (Regional President), Pat Paxton (Senior VP of Programming) and my boss Chris Claus preached from the start was ?Di FIRST. Diane, YOU come first.? David called me personally to tell me, ?Diane from now on?numbers 1 through 27 on your list of things to do are Diane Newman. Everything else can wait.? It doesn?t get any better than that! Entercom is so much more than a company, they?re family. We all learned that during and after Katrina; this cancer episode reinforced what I already knew.

I had surgery at the end of December; I missed two weeks of work. That was tough--the Saints were in the playoffs! Then, I had to have another minor surgery - to get a port placed in my chest. This would allow them to pump the chemo drugs straight into your heart; a more efficient method than pumping it through your veins. After that - four months of chemotherapy? February through May?every three weeks. I worked through chemo. My amazing chemo doc, Dr. Milton Seiler told me, ?Most women work through chemo. Men, that?s a different story.?

I had chemo on Fridays. I?d miss that Friday and the following Monday, then work until the next chemo. The effects are cumulative, so the more you go the tougher it gets. By chemo number four, I missed Friday, Monday and Tuesday. By chemo number five, I missed Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. By chemo number six, I missed Friday and the following week. Sure, I got nauseated. I lost my hair. Got thrush. Got flu-like symptoms from those damned Neulasta shots. My toenails turned purple. And, yes, I got tired. But, my job?my team?my partners at work (and, of course, my dear family and friends)?propelled me through. And, every time I went to chemo I had two angels by my side?Helen Centanni and Inez Glapion. They would NOT allow me to do chemo alone. (Inez fed me breakfast and kept me up through treatments. Helen delivered gifts to all of my fellow chemo patients like the Easter Bunny!) And, Deborah (Kane) came down to NOLA from San Francisco so she could support me through chemo #4. This is your regional president. Who does this? Goes to show you, family isn?t just the people who share your blood and last name.

Throughout chemo they test your blood routinely to make sure your blood count is good?that you?re strong enough to continue. Luckily I?m blessed with good genes?we never had to slow or stop chemo. My blood work always came back good, excellent, amazing. And, by the time we took the final blood work Dr. Seiler told me all levels were back to normal; it didn?t even look like I had chemotherapy. YES!

What?s next?Rest for a few weeks?well, rest and work. Mid-June I?d start the next adventure in cancer care--radiation therapy. Dr. Stolier told me, ?I know who Dr. Seiler uses for radiation therapy?Dr. Ellen Zakris. She?s extraordinary.? He was right. On the first day I met her she hugged me?and spent forty five minutes explaining the impact on my body. She was so smart, generous, kind. After figuring out the best position for treating my breast & the deep position of the bed left by the tumor?we started treatment?33 of ?em. I?d go every weekday at 11:20am. I?d have my morning show meetings with Bob or Tommy and Susan?go to radiation and come back to work in time for my ?Think Tank? meetings with Helen and Garland. It was all good, until the final two weeks. Yes, I got what felt like a severe sun burn?my breast blew up?then, the burn beneath the breast. It felt like a rope burn. I had to put a sock stuffed with gauze between my skin and my clothes. But, I never stopped working.

It?s been about six weeks since my last treatment and I?m doing good. But, like chemo, the effects of radiation therapy are cumulative. It hit me like a brick about 2 weeks ago?the exhaustion from 33 radiation treatments. I took off last Friday and literally slept until 4 o?clock in the afternoon. And, all weekend my body just wanted to REST. I?m trying real hard to listen.

What is the long-term prognosis?The prognosis is as good as it gets for someone diagnosed with cancer. We caught it early. The tumor was small. It was completely removed. The two things they look for are cancer in the lymph nodes and cancer in the ?margins? around the mass. They found neither. We also had a bone scan of my entire body; there were no signs of cancer. I am blessed. And, thank God for big boobs! As Dr. Stolier said, ?Because you have ?generous? breasts, we can save the breast and do a lumpectomy.? What science has shown in the past 40 years is this--your chances for remaining cancer free or having a recurrence are equal? 50/50 ? whether you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. I was willing to do whatever he told me to do. Surrender.

Have you done anything extra or different now that you are a breast cancer survivor, using your position at the station to raise awareness or raise money? I just learned today that the New Orleans Saints want me to be their ?honorary captain? at the Saints/Colts game at home in the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 23rd. It?s the only home game in October for the Who Dat Nation. I will be honored to represent anyone/everyone who has breast cancer, had breast cancer or helped someone battle this evil disease.

The toughest thing about getting diagnosed with breast cancer was telling the people you love. I wept for them as they wept for me. But, hope is what gets us through. We have to find a cure.

(10/12/2011 9:33:53 PM) WOW! What a story.. What a beautiful and strong willed person. I am wiping my eyes after reading this and I dont cry very often..makes me wanna talk like I'm from New orleans.. ya all touched my heart. Amazing tribute..wonderful people and thats what makes a company.